Bill Belichick Out as Coach of New England Patriots, Gives Farewell Speech

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick announces he is leaving the team during a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Jan. 11, 2024. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

The New England Patriots on Thursday confirmed the team is parting ways with legendary coach Bill Belichick after 24 seasons.

In a brief statement posted on social media, the team said it “mutually agreed to part ways” with the coach. Further details were not provided, although the statement confirmed earlier reports that he would depart the organization.

Mr. Belichick, 71, helped lead the team to six Super Bowl wins alongside quarterback Tom Brady, who retired last season. Aside from being the head coach, Mr. Belichick also worked as the Patriots general manager who oversaw personnel decisions.

“I'll always be a Patriot,” Mr. Belichick, known for his cutoff hooded sweatshirts and terse statements to sports journalists, said in a news conference on Thursday. “I'll look forward to coming back here. But at this time, we’re going to move on and I look forward, excited for the future.”

“Players win games in the NFL, and I’ve been very fortunate to coach some of the greatest players who have ever played,” he added. “I respect the way players come to work here on a daily basis—all of them, and I’ve coached well over 1,000.

“Certainly, we’ve had many that have been here for a long time and had great contributions. Too many to name at this time, but great thanks to the players.”

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After Mr. Belichick’s comment to the media, Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Thursday that it’s “an emotional day” because it marks “the end of an era” for New England. “One that will hopefully always be celebrated in this region,” the team’s owner added.

“What Bill accomplished, in my opinion, will never be duplicated,” Mr. Kraft said. “I’m very proud that our partnership lasted for 24 years,” he added. “Bill has taught me a lot over those years, and we had high expectations for what we could achieve together. I think we were the only ones who had those expectations, and I think it’s safe to say we exceeded them.”

While he enjoyed lasting and consistent success over the decades, the Patriots failed to make the playoffs twice after Mr. Brady’s departure from the team several years ago. And for the 2023–24 season, the Patriots posted a dismal 4–13 record and were last in the AFC.

Earlier this week, Mr. Kraft told ESPN he was “really disappointed” with the team’s performance this season. “I had hoped things would be a lot better,” he added.

In his farewell press conference, Mr. Belichick didn’t reveal his future plans or if he will retire from coaching altogether. According to betting website DraftKings, he’s now favored to either stop coaching or is favored take the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons after the team fired coach Arthur Smith this week.

Reactions

Reacting to the development, Mr. Brady wrote on Instagram he was “incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL,” adding that “he worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport. And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons I learned were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities.”

“I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next,” he added.

Former Patriots cornerback Ty Law appeared on local station WEEI on Thursday, saying that Mr. Belichick was always straightforward with his players. A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots in the early 2000s, Mr. Law said that he’s “by far the greatest NFL coach of all time. Period.”

“Greatest ever. Thank you for everything. Me, my family, my son. Shaping me into a football player and a man. Love you,” wrote former Patriots safety Patrick Chung on social media. And former Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour wrote he believes Mr. Belichick is the “greatest football mind to ever live.”

Other NFL Moves

In a surprise move this week, the Seattle Seahawks said that it, too, would be parting with its longtime head coach, Pete Carroll, this season. Mr. Carroll won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2014, but his team lost to the Patriots in 2015’s Super Bowl.

“After thoughtful meetings and careful consideration for the best interest of the franchise, we have amicably agreed with Pete Carroll that his role will evolve from Head Coach to remain with the organization as an advisor,” Seahawks owner Jody Allen said in a statement. “Pete is the winningest coach in Seahawks history, brought the city its first Super Bowl title, and created a tremendous impact over the past 14 years on the field and in the community.”

Aside from the departures of Mr. Carroll, Mr. Belichick, and Mr. Smith, the Washington Commanders parted ways with coach Ron Rivera. Three other head coaches were fired in the middle of the season, including Carolina Panthers’ Frank Reich, Los Angeles Chargers’ Brandon Staley, and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Josh McDaniels.